May 17 DVD roundup

Gearing up for the summer releases; next month promises even more. Of course, you’ll need to weigh your BD/DVD dollars vs. the cost of the theatrical releases of what looks like one of the better summers for films.

Mainstream: The Rite, The Roommate

Independent: Brotherhood, Daydream Nation, The Mechanic

Reissues: Beverly Hills Cop, The Comancheros, The Hustler

Documentary: Sons of the City

TV: Tim and Eric, Twilight Zone

British TV: Circles Of Deceit, The Feathered Serpent, South Riding

Children: Nickelodeon Favorites, Thor, The Wild Thornberrys

Music: Brian Eno, Glenn Tilbrook

Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is extra, and preview links go to Apple.com. And just in case you were wondering, the DVD prices are the listed retail prices. You can get them cheaper if you buy at discount stores or online.

Beverly Hills Cop
Paramount, 105 min., R, $24.99 (BD debut)
Eddie Murphy is Detroit detective Axel Foley, come to Hollywood seeking the murderers who killed his best friend. Of course the straightlaced detectives of Beverly Hills don’t know what to make of the street-smart detective. A clever mix of action and comedy makes this one of Eddie Murphy’s best films. Extras not available at press time, but I’m sure it has some. At least, I hope it does.

Brian Eno – 1971-1977: The Man Who Fell to EarthSexy Intellectual/MVD, 154 min., $19.95
first-ever documentary film about Eno focuses on the years 1971 to 1977, considered by his fans as Golden age. Extras: extended interviews, biographies, featurettes.

BrotherhoodPhase 4 Films, 80 min., R, $29.99
A college fraternity pledge finds himself in the middle of a convenience store robbery as part of his initiation ritual. Now he’s forced to choose between his fraternity brothers or his ethics. What a dilemma. Extras: interviews, short film, featurette, two commentaries, photo gallery.

Circles of Deceit: The Complete SeriesAcorn Media, 394 min., 4 episodes, 2 discs, $49.99
Ex-British SAS commando John Neil (Dennis Waterman) is a combination secret agent/assassin for British security services. 1993-96 British TV series has never been seen in the US. Sounds like a low-rent James Bond. No extras listed.

The ComancherosFox, 159 min., 107 min., $34.99 (BD debut)
classic cowboy film stars John Wayne as Texas Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter; a man with two missions: stop an outlaw gang selling guns to the Indians, and bring in a gambler who is wanted for murder. Extras: book packaging, commentary, two documentaries,, and photo gallery, interview.

Daydream NationAnchor Bay Films, 98 min., R
DVD: $26.98
BD: $34.99
Caroline Wexler (Kat Dennings) has a problem; her father just moved them from the big city to a small town in the middle of nowhere. She has nothing in common with the losers in her high school, so she sets her sights on the handsome teacher, Mr. Anderson (Josh Lucas). A bizarre love triangle grows between her, Mr. Anderson and her sweet but troubled classmate (Reece Thompson). Edgy, independent filmmaking is supposed to ensue. Extras: featurette.

The Feathered Serpent: Complete SeriesAcorn Media, 300 min., 12 episodes, 2 discs, $39.99
Patrick Troughton plays a scheming, fanatical Aztec priest in this 1976 BBC cult drama. As a high priest, he plans to topple the peace-loving Emperor and prevent the marriage that will unite two kingdoms under a competing god. Never aired in the U.S., probably because the scenario strikes too close to home for some of our religions. (I keed, I keed.) Extras: historical background information.

Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers: Live In New York CityMVD, 73 min., 16 songs, $16.99
Former co-writer, lead singer and lead guitarist of the pop band Squeeze performs live in an New York club. Nine Squeeze songs, plus seven of his solo hits. Extras documentary.

The HustlerFox, 135 min., $34.98 (BD debut)
“Fast Eddie” (Paul Newman), after fleecing plenty of pool-hall gamblers, loses a grueling match to Minnesota Fats and hits the skids. Only the intervention of a ruthless gambler, who stakes his claim to Eddie’s soul, can teach him how to win. Extras: book packaging, commentary, seven featurettes, three new documentaries.

The MechanicSony, 92 min., R
DVD: $28.95
BD: $34.95
Jason Statham is a “mechanic,” or professional hitman, and the best in the business. After his mentor and friend (Donald Sutherland) is murdered, he goes out for revenge. Tagging along is his mentor’s son (Ben Foster), who has a vested interest in the trade and the mission. Action is supposed to ensue. Extras: deleted scenes, featurette.

The RiteWarner Bros., 114 min., PG-13
DVD: $28.98
BD/DVD: $35.99
Seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue) is sent to study exorcism at the Vatican, despite his skepticism about its validity. But when he meets the unorthodox Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), a priest who has performed thousands of exorcisms, his skepticism gets taken for a terrifying ride. Comes with the moniker “inspired by true events;” which is Hollywood-speak for “you wouldn’t buy this if we didn’t tell you that it was ‘almost’ true.” Extras: deleted scenes. BD adds alternate ending, featurette.

The RoommateSony, 91 min., PG-13
DVD: $28.95
BD: $34.95
College freshman Sara (Minka Kelly) gets assigned roommate Rebecca (Leighton Meester), who is friendly at first. However, Rebecca turns out to be psychotic, which can put a damper on any relationship. Especially when she’s also homicidal. Horrror and mayhem are supposed to ensue. Extras: commentary, alternate opening, deleted scenes. BD adds three featurettes, BD-Live capacity.

South RidingBBC/Warner Bros., 240 min., 2 discs, $24.98
Sarah Burton (Anna Maxwell Martin) returns to her childhood home in Yorkshire after her fiancé dies in World War I. Full of ambition and fire, she takes on the headmistress position at a struggling high school for girls. Based on the book by Winifred Holtby. No extras listed. Seven

Thor: Tales Of AsgardMarvel, 77 min.
DVD: $19.98
BD/DVD: $29.99
Before picking up his hammer, the young “God of Thunder” went searching for the legendary Lost Sword of Surtur; accompanied by his mischievous brother Loki. A harmless treasure hunt soon turns deadly, Thor must prove himself worthy of the challenge. Precursor to the film now in theaters, or that’s at least how you’re supposed to interpret it. Extras: two commentaries, featurette, bonus episode from the animated “Avengers” TV series.

The Wild Thornberrys: Season OneShout! Factory, 480 min., 20 episodes, four discs, $29.93
Long-awaited Nickelodeon kids series finally makes its DVD debut. It follows the Thornberry family as they travel the world, looking for rare animals to film. The youngest has the magical power to be able to speak to animals. No extras listed.